Glen Ellyn parks discuss roof leak on new complex

As construction on Glen Ellyn Park District's new sports and fitness center wraps up, the $11.2 million facility remained a hot topic at the board's meeting this week.

After one resident accused board members of abusing their authority on the project and another praised them for their foresight, Superintendent of Parks Dave Scarmardo asked the board to withhold payment to several vendors because of a roof leak on the southwest side of the building that seeped below the hardwood floors of the basketball courts.

The leak has damaged about 10 to 12 square feet of flooring and will not get fixed until basketball seasons ends, said Scarmardo, who also pointed out that it was not a safety hazard.

The leak was discovered Saturday and Scarmardo said no damage estimates have been done, although he said it was noticeable.

The district, however, will not pay for the repair. Instead, the board withheld payment to Korellis Roofing Inc. and T.A. Bowman Constructors until the leak is fixed. Scarmardo said the companies have taken responsibility.

A check to Sportscon was also held back because a safety net for spectators on the complex's soccer field has not been delivered. In total, the board withheld $337,147.12 of a $790,298.72 payment on the project, which has increased in cost since a referendum in 2006 estimated the price at about $7.4 million.

Early in the meeting, Jim Markby, of the 600 block of Hickory Road, told the board that it had overstepped its bounds on the project and admonished the board's behavior at the Dec. 15 meeting.

At that meeting, an hourlong discussion regarding Ackerman turned into a back-and-forth among board members that ended with a scolding by then-President Sandy Minogue.

"This was no mandate," he said. "This was a preference of some. And some of you have abused your authority and stewardship. But most unsettling is your defiant defense of your actions."

But Bob Cornwell, of the 300 block of Phillips Avenue, disagreed. He said the building will be an asset and looked forward to seeing the board work together.

"It will be here for a long time after all of you are off the board," he said. "I thank all of you and believe we ought to put that behind us."